Marlin Ballard Single Shot External Extractor Hunters Rifle

These rifles employed a John Marlin-designed reversible firing
pin that allowed the use of both centerfire and rimfire ammunition.
Fewer than 300 convertible Ballard Hunter's Rifles were made from
1875 to 1876. SN 17879

The Ballard single-shot rifle was based on U.S. patent 33,631
that was granted to C. H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts on
November 5, 1861. Approximately 24,000 sporting and military
rifles, carbines, and shotguns were manufactured between 1862 and
1873; Civil War sales account for half of this total. Although
purchased for military use, the Ballard rifle's real success came
in the hands of sportsmen and competitive shooters. The accuracy of
these arms helped them to maintain their popularity into the 20th
century, and their demise was due not to any shortcoming; rather,
the rise in popularity of repeating rifles and modern high power
ammunition spelled the end for Ballard production. Five different
New England companies produced various Ballard designs, with the
New York firm of Merwin & Bray acting as sales agents
throughout Ballard's brief history.

Ballard arms were originally designed for use with rimfire
cartridges, but an auxiliary device was patented by Joseph Merwin
and Edward P. Bray in 1864 to enable these rifles to be used with
percussion primers and combustible cartridges or loose powder and
ball. Later versions were produced for use with centerfire
ammunition. Initial examples were produced between 1862 and 1865 by
the Worcester firm of Ball and Williams. Approximately 16,000
rifles and carbines were produced during these years.

By the midpoint of the war, however, Ball and Williams was unable
to keep up with the demand for their product, and Merwin & Bray
contracted with the Bridgeport, Conecticut firm of Dwight, Chapin
& Co. to provide additional manufacturing facilities for
Ballard rifles and carbines. Unable to produce arms that passed
government inspection, the firm was forced to forfeit the contract
and file for bankruptcy. Ball and Williams took over the remainder
of the contract. Undoubtedly, Ballard hoped to achieve some measure
of success in government sales, but his design failed to gain
widespread military acceptance. Kentucky was the largest single
purchaser of Ballard rifles, and acquistions by the Federal
government were limited to approximately 1000 carbines and 35
rifles.

Ballard production continued through the end of the war, when Ball
and Williams became R. Ball & Co. Ballard rifles took part in
Army trials in 1866, but with the exception of the Army's overland
expedition to the Pacific, they were not used as a military arm in
the post-war period. After manufacturing an additional 2,000 arms,
the company was forced to cease operations in 1866 due to declining
sales and the completion of government contracts. All assets and
machinery were purchased by Edward P. Bray and by the Merrimack
Arms and Manufacturing Co. of Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Production continued on a limited basis under the Merrimack banner
until 1869, when Brown Manufacturing Co., also of Newburyport, took
over production.

In the 1870s, C. H. Ballard also designed and produced a
single-shot derringer. These .41 caliber rimfire pistols were
manufactured in Worcester and featured walnut grips, a bird's head
butt, and a brass frame with silver plating. Production was
short-lived, however, and only a few thousand examples found their
way to the marketplace. Economic depression came to the United
States in 1873, and diminishing sales forced Brown Manufacturing
into bankruptcy. All patent rights, equipment, parts inventories,
and properties were purchased by New York arms dealers Schoverling
and Daly, who handled sales and distribution of Ballard rifles
after reaching an agreement with John Marlin to continue
production. This partnership would prove to be highly successful
for all parties involved.

In 1881, the Marlin Firearms Company was incorporated, and
production of Ballard rifles continuing under the Marlin banner
until they were eventually discontinued circa 1891 due to the
rising popularity of repeating rifles. Ballard rifles enjoyed great
popularity during the heyday of the Schuetzen rifle. According to
one expert, the Ballard possessed one of the fastest hammer
movements ever invented, and these rifles earned a solid reputation
for accuracy. When Brown Manufacturing went out of business, many
remaining Ballard rifles were purchased by the Boston firm of
Williams Read & Sons, who sporterized them for sales on the
commercial market.

In addition, many Ballards were either custom-built models or were
custom assembled using standardized parts, and features such as
adjustable double-set triggers, custom sights, engravings, and
high-grade woods were frequently encountered. Many barrel and
stockmakers practiced their craft by marrying their products to
Ballard actions. Perhaps the most famous of these was Harry M.
Pope, who became legendary among competitive shooters for the
quality and accuracy of his hand-rifled barrels. When properly
handled, Pope guaranteed that these guns would deliver all of their
shots into a 2 ?-inch circle at 200 yards. Ballards were also
well-received by competitors in Germany, Great Britain, and
France.

Although the days of the Scheutzenfest are long past, Ballard
products continue to enjoy favor among marksmen. Some are still
found in competition today, and modern re-creations of these famous
arms are also available. These rifles are also popular outside
shooting circles. Ballard and Marlin-Ballard rifles were and are
well-known for their accuracy and workmanship, and fancy-grade
long-range rifles are eagerly sought after by modern
collectors.